
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 23, 1993                   TAG: 9307220006
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KEN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

NIGHTCLUB-SEEKING TEENS HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER CHOICES

Teen-agers from across the New River Valley will converge on Straight Street this weekend as the Christian-run nightclub celebrates two years of offering youths a taste of nightlife.

But Straight Street is not a teen's only choice for nightlife in the New River Valley.

Frizbee's in the Holiday Inn lounge and Sharkey's on Main Street have established teen nights one day a week.

Although the two clubs differ in what they think teens want, they agree on what teens need - a safe, nonalcoholic environment where they can get together.

"My intention was to provide a safe, controlled place for kids to dance and have a good time," said Joe Hodge, director and originator of the teen night at Frizbee's. "Basically, I did it because there's not much available for these kids to do."

Hodge said he considered giving teens their own night club more than a year ago. He said after discussing the idea with parents and teens, he decided it was something the New River Valley needed.

Sharkey's owner Stephanie Rogol agrees.

"We want them to have a good time without even thinking about alcohol," she said.

Rogol said she was prompted to begin the Monday-night "Sensations" for teens after attending an alcohol awareness seminar in Roanoke in which she realized youths needed a place where they could have fun without alcohol.

"We wanted to do a service to the community, and we also wanted them to have fun," she said.

Helping teen-agers have fun is about the only thing the two clubs have in common, however.

Frizbee's stresses proper dress - no cutoff shorts or halter tops - and provides activities and events besides dancing, including a Velcro board, karaoke and a balloon drop for prizes.

Frizbee's also does not allow tobacco products, Hodge said.

Sharkey's, however, has no restrictions on dress or tobacco products, and its weekly entertainment is determined by the teens' suggestions.

Both clubs charge a cover. Frizbee's charges $4 and Sharkey's $3. Sharkey's includes free sodas, tortillas and salsa.

Frizbee's is open to teens from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Sharkey's is open from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

For more information, call Frizbee's at 951-1330 and Sharkey's at 552-2030.

by CNB